Alzheimer’s and Deep Brain Stimulation

Dr. Andres Lozano

An interesting trial gives us hope of better understanding and treating Alzheimer’s Disease. Deep Brain Stimulation(DBS)seems to help AD patients improve memory function.

The DBS procedure involves inserting electrodes into the brain and sending very low electric charges to the brain circuits that control memory.

Patients with early signs of Alzheimer’s disease are reported to have improved memory function as a result of Deep Brain Stimulation.  Dr. Andres M. Lozano at Toronto Western Hospital ran a trial on six patients between 2005 and 2008.  Half of the patients who had DBS therapy have that had their memory capacity improved or deteriorate at a lower than expected rate.

Dr. Lozano said the trial outcome indicates that the procedure seems safe and shows evidence to suggest the procedure works.

While it is too early in the testing phase and a larger sample size is required,  the procedure may prove to be an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease.

While treating a patient for obesity using Deep Brain Stimulation,  Dr. Lorenzo signaled areas of the patient’s brain that triggered memories in the patient.  When he performed a follow-up test he found that the patient’s memory improved.  This suggested to him that DPS should be explored as a possible therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease.

The results of the phase 1 safety trial were published in the Annals of Neurology.

If you are interested in participating in the next phase of the study, please visit:

We here at ElderKind congratulate Dr. Lozano and his research team and wish him success.

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